Subject: Manuscripts, American

This 15-page manuscript, written circa 1830, presents an explanation of an oriental language, possibly Hebrew, using contemporary oriental linguistic principles. The manuscript includes illustrated charts and symbols, and shows evidence of a well-intentioned but perhaps not fully accurate approach to the study of Hebrew grammar. It features handwritten text in both English and Hebrew. The manuscript, discovered among the papers of Hon. John Davis (1761-1847), a prominent Boston judge and politician, is unsigned. The script is not in Davis's hand. The last page is toned from being folded and stored, suggesting that the manuscript may be incomplete. This is a fascinating manuscript likely from an early 19th-century student, possibly of Moses Stuart of Andover Theological Seminary.

This manuscript autograph album belonged to Fannie H. Hirschfelder Bernheim, who was 18 years old when she compiled it around 1873. The album contains approximately 50 sentiments and signatures from friends and family, primarily from locations in California including Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Buenaventura, and Ventura. It also includes a drawing. The album provides a glimpse into the social life of a young woman in California in the 1870s. The album is approximately 6 1/2" x 8" and is in fair to good condition with some foxing.

A single-page (9" x 7") draft manuscript written on both sides, numbered 337 and 338. The manuscript, possibly dating to circa 1840, is titled "The Sameness of Jewish Canon in early times." It contains numerous corrections and notes, suggesting it may be a study manuscript rather than a direct copy. A note in a different hand on the top left corner identifies it as the writing of Moses Stuart.

Circa 1850 envelope containing two full manuscript sheets and two quarter sheets of notes on errata in the Leeser Bible. The envelope is boldly inscribed "Leeser Bible Erratam" and faintly inscribed in pencil "Send to Dropsie" in a corner. The manuscript appears to be the work of Moses Dropsie. The materials include notes related to the identification and correction of errors in Isaac Leeser's edition of the Bible.

This eleven-page manuscript document contains field notes detailing the northern boundary of Henry Drinker's Mishappen tract of land in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The notes, dated September 28, 1803, were recorded by Jacob Hart in his capacity as prothonotary. The document includes landmarks such as Wyalusing Creek, the Buttonwood corner, and various named individuals' properties, indicating a survey of the land boundaries. The handwriting is legible ink.

Undated manuscript draft of a sermon written by Jacob Mordecai (1762-1838), a prominent Jewish merchant and educator in Colonial America and the American South. The 2 3/4-page manuscript, written in Mordecai's hand, quotes a verse and provides a detailed explanation. It's assumed to have been written between 1819-1838 while he resided in Richmond, Virginia, where he served as president of Congregation Kahal Kadosh Beth Shalome.

A three-page manuscript (plus a few lines on a fourth page) on 8" x 10" paper, possibly in the hand of Isaac Leeser. The manuscript explores the prophecy of the Messiah, citing various sources including Leeser's own book (Vol. 1, pg 131). Dated circa early 1850, it reflects Leeser's engagement with the contemporary controversy with Wise regarding the denial of the Messiah prophecy. The authorship is not conclusively determined but is strongly suggested by its content and discovery among other Leeser papers. The manuscript has been reviewed by Dr. Arthur Kiron (Schottenstein-Jesselson Curator of Judaica Collections) and Bruce Nielsen (Judaica Public Services Librarian and Archivist) at the Katz Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

This hand-sewn pamphlet contains the field notes and surveys conducted by John Henderson for Aaron Levy in 1776. It includes three complete surveys: two conducted on May 22, 1776, for land purchased in 1775 and 1774 in Union County (adjacent to Aaronsburg, Center County); and a third survey from September 18, 1776, for land purchased in 1774 in Northumberland County. The diary also includes five maps and additional information. The paper was manufactured at Brandywine, Pennsylvania. This rare colonial document may be the earliest extant survey for land that later became Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania's first town founded and named after a Jew.